Can you paint over rotten wood?

You might think that painting over trim pieces in your home that have some mold or rot is an easy way to fix the problem. While this may solve the visual aspect of the problem, it won't address the underlying problems and could make it worse. Most structural damage to your home can be dealt with by "out of sight, out of mind."

We have listed some reasons dark spots and damaged wood can't be painted over in this article. While you may find articles on the internet that say it's fine, the truth is that wood damage can be serious. Understanding these issues and how to address them can help you identify the problem and fix it instead of trying to cover it up.

Termites

A termite infestation could indicate cracked or decayed wood around your home. If they're allowed to live in your home, termites can cause severe damage to the structure of your house. You must find the epicenter of a termite infestation and eliminate it. This will prevent them from spreading and causing damage to your foundation, walls, and subfloors.

It is not only ineffective to paint over termite damage, but it can also pose a legal problem. An inspector will not be able to determine if you have just covered up the termite damage with paint if you plan on selling your house. The home may not be eligible for sale until the damage has been repaired, which could prove to be very costly.

Moisture

Wood can be easily split and rotten by moisture. A new coat of paint won't fix it. Water can soak into the wood and cause it to expand, swell, or even deteriorate. Painting over the problem will not fix it. It will only make it worse. Paint won't stick to wet or damaged wood, so it won't look great when you paint it over.

Paint can protect your home from the elements, but it won't solve the problem if moisture has already soaked into the walls. There is a good chance that there is moisture rot in your wood. Before you paint an area, make sure the leak is repaired, and it doesn't cause more wood rot.

Mold

Mold can grow if moisture is left to sit for too long. If mold isn't removed promptly and properly, it can cause serious health problems. Mold problems in homes can cause lung irritation, allergy, asthma, and other health issues. It is important to never paint over mold. Painting over mold will only agitate the spores, which will then spread throughout the house.